February 21, 2014

DIY Decorating Ideas for Your Bedroom

Hey ya'll! So, today I'm finally sharing all of the little changes I've been making to the master bedroom over the past month or so. First things first, let's address the elephant in the room: This room is on its 11th look.And I realize it's ridiculous. However, decorating is so hard for me, and it might take me 14 times to get it right. Plus, I think I've spent about $3 in 3 years on this room, give or take.

Can we just hug the elephant and call it a day?

Anyways, so it all started with this rug.

I was at my grandma's house on Thanksgiving and she gave me a rug. It didn't go with my house at all, but it was the prettiest rug ever. So, I moved it around my house for a couple months, totally perplexed about how to use it because it's super big at about 12' x 14'. And then, I remembered this awesome tip I pinned awhile back and it all kinda clicked.

And that's how I decided to put the rug in the bedroom, positioned about 3/4 of the way under the bed.

Anyways, it's just a really special rug to me and makes me happy every time I look at.

Since the rug is really colorful and traditional, I decided to make everything else in the room feel really neutral and contemporary.

I kept the dropcloth headboard I made last year and just made a few changes to the bedding.The day I can afford to purchase a king sized bed will be the happiest day of my life. And you think I kid.Until then, we maximize the situation at hand.

I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and had a moment, like one of those moments where you're so excited and weird noises escape your mouth when they shouldn't.

They have tons of pillow covers there, pretty much in every color, and they are only $6.

This is clearly a pillow miracle that I feel everyone should know about.

I also finally turned Vern's furry scarf into a blanket. I know I said I was going to make a pillow out of it, but clearly that was no longer necessary after the above discovery.

And speaking of Vern....

he's really been causing quite the stir lately.

Mostly because of the ampersand art, but also because some of you were sad about his new suit. While I totally sympathize, Vern wants you to know that things are changing around here and you've just got to get on board.

Quote. Unquote.

Vern isn't the only one who experienced some changes.

I know he's bossy. We're working on it.

Remember the piano bench I upholstered with black and white striped fabric?

Well, he got a new suit, too.

Meet Charles (formerly known in his younger days as Charlie).

Charles is elegant and sophisticated.

And totally in charge.

I found some great striped fabric online and just reupholstered Charles the same way I showed in the original tutorial.

I kinda messed up that nailhead, but we're just going to embrace Charles,

warts and all.

Then, I used some great new metallic paint I found to paint his legs. In this instance, the clothes totally make the man.

Metallic paint sidenote:

Every time I read the below label, I can't help but use my Gollum voice.

In addition to Charles' legs, I also used the Precious Metals paint on the new mirror I hung over the silver leafed vanity.

You may remember this mirror in its original form over the fireplace in the living room. After the mantel makeover, I decided to paint it and move it in here.

I painted the whole frame in the Precious Metals Titanium first and then used the Precious Metals Antiquing to apply to the grooves. It gives it a little depth and makes it look amazing.

I get asked all the time about how to paint a mirror frame, and that's just one really easy way to do it.

You can find the Titanium here and the Antiquing here (affiliate links).

Sidenote: I have a slow motion gif that plays over and over in my head where I drop this paint on my carpet and the world ends.

When we first moved into this house, I found those mirrors at a local salvage shop and they were so amazing that I bought two. I've gone back again and again hoping that they will have more, but no such luck.

Speaking of frames, you may have noticed the new little fella above the bed. I've been trying to find a mirrored frame for awhile and my mission is now complete.

And, well...

I framed a placemat.

I was at the grocery store around Christmas time and saw a gold Poinsettia placemat for a couple bucks. I had no idea what I was going to do with it, but I kinda had a feeling.

We locked eyes and I just knew.

I bought it thinking it would work its way into a Christmas craft of some sort, but then I kind of forgot about it until I went to put away the Christmas decorations.

Much to my delight, it makes for some great art above the bed.

I've come to the conclusion that you can frame just about anything if the frame is pretty and has a mat in it. It's one of life's best kept secrets.

And that's basically the story of how a rug from my grandma sent me into Master Bedroom Version 11.0.

Overall, this version of the bedroom makes me feel really peaceful and happy, and what's funny is that it's kind of similar to the first time I ever decorated this room.

Learning to decorate has been quite the interesting journey for me, and there are still days when I feel like a total lost cause (which makes much more sense if you've read this). But, I try to remind myself that I started with this three years ago...

I get all giddy when I see a new post from you. Love Charles' new threads...chic and sleek. The poinsettia had me from the beginning and then you revealed it's little secret...clever. Your bedroom is very lovely. I can't wait to see Vern's new look, I know it will be fab.

*elephant hug* no matter what you do in there I'm SO loving your bedroom. It's just beautiful. Really like Charles' new suit and legs! He looks beautiful and it looks like it fits better with the rest of the colors in the room too. And those mirrors....ohhh what I wouldn't give for something so elegant and ornate. And the color is just perfect.

Also I had no idea that HobLob sold pillow covers. I will be taking my next paycheck there and just signing it over to them.

Your grandmother's rug looks great in there, what a great pop of color and vibrancy!

Lastly, the day I can buy a house that can *fit* a king size bed in my master will be the happiest day of *my* life. Ha! Can't even fit a queen where I am - booo! :-P So I feel your pain!!

Hi Virginia,Your posts are such a delight to read! They make me smile and want to join in the fun :). Love your thinking process, too--colorful & traditional rug, keep the rest of the room neutral & contemporary! Great advice for a beautiful room.Blessings,Sindy

Yes I did...it gives me immense pleasure to make sure people know that tip came from your brain. Also, I'm excited for your pushpin art. I know it will be glorious. Also, Cheese and Toot eventually had to be quarantined during the pushpin extravaganza for the same reasons. They just do NOT know how to just chill and hang out during art projects.

Hi Erica! Yes, I feel ya. If I'm being honest, I totally miss our ceiling fan. I'm thinking I'll probably convert back one day! In the meantime, we have a little table fan I use at night. MUST have a fan during sleep!! :) I include the link to that chandelier in this post: http://www.livelovediy.com/2013/07/decorating-mistakes-lessons-1-bedroom.html

I wanted to hang some vintage potholders that look like clothes in my laundry room. I went in Hobby Lobby for some mini wooden clothespins and they cost me $100. LOL a mirror and some other 50% off stuff fell into my cart! Love your room!

Once again, you change my views on things! I was not sure what to do with an old drawing I did when I was younger that became stuck to something else. It will be ripped if I attempt to take it apart, but with a mat in a frame like that, I can at least salvage some of it! Thank you for your great ideas and blog! =)

I will never tire of your light rooms/light colors. LOVE 'em :-) Now, about that rug....it certainly does add some oomph to the room and because you love it, it's 'right' :-) Did you know that if a rug (or fabric) is woven it can often times be reversed to see a lighter version of the colors? In the case of this rug, this may not be so, (can't tell by the pics) but you could always check it out to see ;-) I reallllllly love the Precious Metals look! I may have to order some of that just for my own fun ;-) Great job Virginia! Your home is gorgeous.

Gorgeous! I still haven't made it too Master Bedroom Version 1.0 yet (although I do have two rolls of wallpaper and a lampshade in the wardrobe so there's hope yet!). You're posts are always so inspiring, what on earth would we all do if you stopped decorating - bring on the elephants I say!!! :)

Virginia, my first question is: will you please come and make our master bedroom beautiful?!??!? Yours is gorgeous!! Every little detail, every thing you touched is perfect. I LOVE the thrift store mirror you did with the Precious Metals. It is stunning! I'm not sure that I could ever hope to completely emulate your creativity, but you give me hope!I'm not certain that I can ever emulate your creativity, I am b

What's so wrong with 11 - 11 is a great number. No offence to all you other lovely numbers out there!

I love your new look...and especially covet (yes I know that's WRONG) the poinsettia placemat in the mirror frame.

You know what makes the poinsettia "picture" so perfect? (My opinion only...) The way you have edited it. Because the mount is smaller than the doily the result is far more satisfying than showing the whole thing. Clever, clever clever. Covet, covet, covet.

I just love your blog - the only problem is that from the other side...well in fact the underside from where you are...of the world, means that I have to find the local alternative to all the wonderful products and stores you mention. Is that a problem???? No not really - just gives me a real excuse to spend more of my life out there looking for what I need for #??? makeover of the rooms in my humble country house in New Zealand...

I love master bedroom #28473! :) I'm having trouble picking a color for our master bedroom, but I like what's on your walls! Would you mind sharing the color name and Brand? I'm sorry if you've shared or been asked before and I missed it. :) thanks!

I want you to know how inspiring you are , and talented love your style .I hope could make this change in my whole house one step at the time for now I gonna star with my bedroom thanks for the inspiring tips! greetings form Paraguay in southamerica

New to yor blog and so so so in love!!! Drooling over the color of your mirror over your vanity, i am trying to achieve the same look. Do I need to paint my frame gold before I use the precious metals on it? What gold was it painted before if that's the case?? Thank you so much for inspiring me to make my house cute!! I just think you're amazing!!!!

Hi Megan! It was originally a dark antique gold, but you don't need to paint it gold first. The precious metals paint is pretty opaque and covers stuff pretty well. And thank you...you are just too sweet! xo

Your new bedroom is SO BEAUTIFUL!! I have loved each version, but this one takes the cake. I love your new rug more than anything! Go grandma! I think your space was missing some color, and the rug totally transforms the room. It's more cozy and also more regal. I really appreciate your decision to pair the traditional, loud rug with nothing else but contemporary and cool/calm. Very wise :D!!

Hi, Live Love DIY!!Your Blog is Beautiful! I have shared your website with my 2 daughters and my girlfriends!! This is so inspiring. Very Long story short, I have wanted to paint my cherry wood furniture for years and wasn't quite sure of the outcome and I have since replaced some of those pieces with contemporary lighter colored choices, but saved a few (Queen Anne desk, chair and lingerie chest). I've enjoyed silver leafing and gold leafing a few "very small" objects. However, last weekend, my Husband and I purchased a Vintage French Provincial dressing table with drawers and a Lingerie dresser to match an existing dresser I already had, with a beautiful vanilla/off white patina style, similar to your Bedroom dresser. As we brought the pieces of furniture up to the Master Bedroom and as I walked past the contemporary clean lines of the recently updated white vanity in my bathroom I said to myself, "I'm painting this furniture white!" I Googled from my cell phone, "How to paint furniture white without sanding" and I found your Blog!!! I am sooo very happy. I'm starting small this weekend with 2 end tables and a small dresser in my guest bedroom to prepare myself for the bigger project in the Master Bedroom and you are my inspiration! Thank you so so much! Please don't ever stop blogging and thank you for giving us not only the inspiration to carry our the Inner Artist in all of us, but thank you for the tutorials and the supply lists to help make our projects successful.

I love your blog, I just accidentally found it on Pinterest and in the last few days I have read every post! You are amazing and funny and have great style. You house looks amazing!You make it seem less scary to take on a project and make a few mistakes while doing it! I just wanted to say that it's an amazing inspiration!Greetings from Belgium!

Quick and Easy LiveLoveDIY Projects

Search This Blog

LiveLoveDIY
Hi! I'm Virginia! I'm a newlywed & new homeowner who loves decorating and DIY projects. Making something new out of something old is what inspires me! I'm constantly looking for affordable ways to transform our house! This is my place to share inspirations and DIY! Oh, and maybe talk a little bit about my love for very fat cats. View my story